Which 14er should I do?
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rrudnic
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Which 14er should I do?
I was in CO this past summer, long trip out west from VA, and climbed Handies Peak using the southwest slopes, up and down in 3-3.5 hours, for my first 14er. I am going to be back again this summer, in the Boulder area, and wanted to try and get another one. In looking at the options I was thinking Gray's or Bierstadt seem like the best choices. If I chose Grays I could try to do the double with Torreys if the first summit goes well. I also thought Evans might be an option. Would love to hear what other folks who have climbed these have to say. Thanks.
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Mtnman200
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
Once you're up Grays, it isn't much additional effort to add Torreys. Get an early start, and you should be able to do both peaks.
"Adventure without risk is not possible." - Reinhold Messner
Re: Which 14er should I do?
Mt. Sherman and Quandary are also walkups that are relatively short hikes and would be similar in difficulty to Handies.
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rrudnic
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
Those 2 seem a good bit further away from Boulder, need to try and keep it to something close to Boulder because thats where my buddy is and I will be a little limited on time to make it happen.globreal wrote:Mt. Sherman and Quandary are also walkups that are relatively short hikes and would be similar in difficulty to Handies.
Re: Which 14er should I do?
Longs would be closest to Boulder if you're up for some Class 3 and a long day.
Though I haven't been there yet myself, the Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW) has some excellent options right in Boulder's backyard, as long as you don't mind 13ers and 12ers.
Hiking Evans by itself might be underwhelming given the parking lot on the summit. If you're looking to avoid any scrambling, Grays/Torreys would be my recommendation since it's a similar effort to Bierstadt and you get two-for-one.
Though I haven't been there yet myself, the Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW) has some excellent options right in Boulder's backyard, as long as you don't mind 13ers and 12ers.
Hiking Evans by itself might be underwhelming given the parking lot on the summit. If you're looking to avoid any scrambling, Grays/Torreys would be my recommendation since it's a similar effort to Bierstadt and you get two-for-one.
“There are two kinds of climbers: those who climb because their heart sings when they’re in the mountains, and all the rest.” - Alex Lowe
"There have been joys too great to describe in words, and there have been griefs upon which I cannot dare to dwell; and with those in mind I say, 'Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end.'" - Edward Whymper
"There have been joys too great to describe in words, and there have been griefs upon which I cannot dare to dwell; and with those in mind I say, 'Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end.'" - Edward Whymper
Re: Which 14er should I do?
If you have "limited time" then think in terms of total time (driving time + climbing time.) You may be able to drive to Sherman in 2 hours and climb in 4 hours, and then 2 hours to drive back to Boulder=8 total hours. However, if you choose say Longs which you could drive to in 1 hour, but then if it takes 13 hours to climb the peak, and 1 hour drive back=15 total hours, then the shorter drive time didn't net you any gain.rrudnic wrote:Those 2 seem a good bit further away from Boulder, need to try and keep it to something close to Boulder because thats where my buddy is and I will be a little limited on time to make it happen.globreal wrote:Mt. Sherman and Quandary are also walkups that are relatively short hikes and would be similar in difficulty to Handies.
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Dave B
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
The answer is Quandary, this should be a sticky thread topic, IMO.
With money saved in gas you can buy your three best friends a sixer, or a bottle of marginal scotch for yourself.
Good god, man! Get theee to the freaking IPW! You've repeated more 14ers than I've climbed and you haven't been to the magical fantasy land of the Indian Peaks?!?!?!?SurfNTurf wrote: Though I haven't been there yet myself, the Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW)...
With money saved in gas you can buy your three best friends a sixer, or a bottle of marginal scotch for yourself.
Make wilderness less accessible.
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jsdratm
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
Would agree with this. I did them on a work day last summer and was back at the office in Boulder just in time for lunch. The trail being well-defined makes it easy to start out before sunrise and you will beat the crowds to the summit too.Mtnman200 wrote:Once you're up Grays, it isn't much additional effort to add Torreys. Get an early start, and you should be able to do both peaks.
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TravelingMatt
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
If you just want to go up something without a whole lot of driving, consider James, either or both of the Arapahos, or part or all of the Flora group from Berthoud Pass. You won't go wrong.
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. -- William Blake
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Jim Davies
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
Agree almost 100%. Quandary is uncomplicated and accessible. Bierstadt is in the running, too, but has the spring mud issue. Grays and Torreys are great, but the road can be an obstacle. Someday they really need to pave that road and get it over with.Dave B wrote:The answer is Quandary, this should be a sticky thread topic, IMO.
Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall — it's great when you stop. -- Chris Darwin
I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now. -- Forrest Gump
I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now. -- Forrest Gump
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Billy the Kid
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
If you will have access to a 4-wheel drive car with high clearance, I would recommend Grays and Torreys...it feels good to check off two peaks in one hike. If not, I would have to agree with the others who suggested Quandary. I must say, you are rather spoiled with having Handies as your first peak...I think you'll find the scenery for your next hike won't quite compare to Handies...
Have fun!
Have fun!
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So, be on your way."- Dr. Seuss
"I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious."- Michael Scott
"I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious."- Michael Scott
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Turtle Boy
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Re: Which 14er should I do?
As mentioned by several folk:
Grays and Torreys are certainly doable from Boulder in a reasonable time frame.
Bierstadt is similar.
You can do Mt. Evans via Mt. Spalding from Summit Lake in a very reasonable time and back in Boulder for Happy Hour.
As others have said the drive plus Sherman is probably equal to Grays/Torreys and Bierstadt time wise although arguably less scenic.
In terms of time in descending order this is my best guess Evans then Sherman or Bierstadt then Grays and Torreys.
However if it were my choice given your post I'd do the IPW: Audubon, Pawnee for more solitude, S. Arapahoe or any of the others. They're not 14er's but the bang for the buck scenic wise and time wise beats all of the above.
Grays and Torreys are certainly doable from Boulder in a reasonable time frame.
Bierstadt is similar.
You can do Mt. Evans via Mt. Spalding from Summit Lake in a very reasonable time and back in Boulder for Happy Hour.
As others have said the drive plus Sherman is probably equal to Grays/Torreys and Bierstadt time wise although arguably less scenic.
In terms of time in descending order this is my best guess Evans then Sherman or Bierstadt then Grays and Torreys.
However if it were my choice given your post I'd do the IPW: Audubon, Pawnee for more solitude, S. Arapahoe or any of the others. They're not 14er's but the bang for the buck scenic wise and time wise beats all of the above.
